KYIV (AFP/REUTERS) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions in an address to the nation in the early hours of Tuesday (Feb 22) morning.

Zelensky said Ukraine is committed to peace and diplomacy after Moscow's recognition of Russian-backed separatist regions as independent on Monday.

The president said Ukraine is expecting “clear and effective” steps from its allies to act against Russia and called for an emergency summit of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France.

Ukraine has meanwhile been assured of a “resolute and united” response from the European Union against Russia, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday after speaking to the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell.

“We share the same assessment of Russia’s illegal decision,” Kuleba said.

Zelensky earlier tweeted that he is planning to speak to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Council President Charles Michel after having spoken to US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.